Eloise walked into the kitchen and steered me from my thoughts.
“What’s for dinner?” she asked.
“Your dad just texted me and said he’s taking us out to dinner tonight.” I smiled.
“Really?” She grinned.
“Yes, really. So go change out of your school uniform into a nice dress.”
“Okay.” She ran out of the kitchen.
It was precisely six o’clock when Dominic opened the front door and stepped inside.
“Are you and Miss Eloise ready? Ashton is in the car,” he said.
“We’re ready, Dominic.” I grabbed my purse.
Eloise flew down the porch steps and climbed into the back of the Escalade.
“Hi, Dad.” She kissed his cheek.
“Hi, sweetheart. How was school?”
“Good.”
“Charlotte.” He nodded with a smile.
“Ashton.” I smiled back.
“Why are you taking us out to dinner?” Eloise asked him.
“Why not? It’s been a while, and I thought tonight would be a good night.”
We ended up at Eleven Madison Park. When we stepped inside, the hostess immediately led us to our table. After we ate, we went home, and both of us tucked Eloise into bed.
“Would you like to have a drink?” Ashton asked.
“That would be great. There’s something I have to ask you,” I said as we headed down the stairs.
“What is it?” He walked over to the bar in the living room.
“You know how I love fall, right?”
“Yeah. I remember you mentioning that.” He handed me a glass of wine.
“Thanks.” I sat on the couch. After he poured his scotch, he sat next to me. “One of the things I love most is bringing the fall season into the home.”
“What do you mean?” He tipped his glass to his lips.
“You know, like a little home décor. Just to add a little fall color. Maybe a couple of little pumpkins here and there, a little burgundy, orange, and yellow to make the house fall cozy.”
“I’ve never heard of such a thing. I normally get a couple of pumpkins for Eloise at Halloween.”
“We can do that too. But this would be just a teeny-weeny bit of autumn to enhance the fall vibes outside.” I smiled.
“I appreciate you asking me first, so go ahead and bring in a teeny-weeny bit of autumn into the home.”
Without even thinking and getting so excited that he agreed to let me decorate, I set my wine glass down and threw my arms around him. When I realized what I’d done, I immediately pulled back.
